New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-30
A BLACK BAG.
EUCHERING A CONFIDENCE MAN.
HOW VERMONT YANKEE "CAME 1T OVER A
PROFESSIONAL SHARPER.

HOW A VERMONT YANKEE "CAME 1T OVER
PROFESSIONAL SHARPER
There were half dozen Of us, and we were killing
time I'm comfortable enough hotel In little village not
far from Braeboro, VT 1t was wretchod Eight late
I'm November with HIGH raw wind and pitiless rain
The sort of a night which, according to Tom Hood'
kind In pure pity would take In MS scare
crow The members Of the company were stranger 10
one another thrown together by the chance OF travel
But they all seemed socially Inclined ana as they sat
around the big fire that bazed on the ample hearth Oh
the parroom each one of them contributed something
more less interesting to the conversation All except
n tall thin ooseOincd fellow who sat with MS hahds
deep In his trousers pockets apparently gwen over 10
meditation At length, however, something was said
which aroused him.
got one Of them confidence fecr's crk'lars to-day
remarked big, jolly drOver. 1t came to Ike Bivvins,
and Ike he ao wed he didn't have no use for 1t ana
tossed 1t over ter The cuss writes MS crK lar
mighty cunnin. Just listen to him." With that the
drover produced circular from OF his pockets ana
read it aloud. the familiar tempting bait Tor
overconnding gudgeons. The writer remarked that the
man whom he addressing had been mentioned 10
him a person who knew good chance to MAKE
money when he saw It, and who also knew how to Keep
his mouth shut and do business the quiet DID the
man want to buy green goods " so well executed
~ absolutely to defy detection II so, it would be
worth his while 10 down to Boston and see the
writer would treat him fair and square and put him
I'm the way making his fortune. When the drovcr had
advanced thus far in his reading the tall fellow referred
broke in with low, rich chuckle. The drover IN
stantly turned to him with the query: Hev you bin
thar stranger ."
"Oh, go with your reading answered the other'
shaking with laughter as he spoke.
The rest OF us prcked up ears with plcasurable
anticipation, while the drover rejoned, replacing the
circular in his pocket Oh per amt OF partio
uar cunt let's have your story The tall man hesi-
taed gaze straight ahead line with the top OF MS
boots as If inuurng the fire whether or not he should
unbosom himself Apparently the fire seconded the
drovers request for after little buryng his hands still
deeper his pockets and with his fixed so intenty
upon the blazing logs before him as to produce the Inn
preston OF talking to himself he unolded to us this
ale about rs I reproduce It.
III.
Gentlemen I'm almost fifty years old. What tell you
happened than a quarter OF century back; III
fact. still youngster Perhaps some Of the
rest OF you had wild oats that you we're foolish
enough to The worst use you can put Wild oats 10
is to SOW them But that's neither here nor there. |
got one these green goods circulars. called In
the summer OF 1853. I was then living In Maine 1t
came to me from Boston By mail Well, was strip
ling inexperienced, grecner than grass, reckless and
tolerably fond OF money The circular appealed to my
cupility and determined TO slip down to Boston and
see what the green goods like. had $4,000 in
bank In Augusta legacy IRON aunt, and drew out
$1,000 before left Maine, determined II the counter
felts hrst-class invest all OF IL IN them OF
coIrse was an ass and something worsebut let that
pass. The circular said when got to Boston was to
go certain saloon in the south end OF the town and
inquire for Samuel s and that TO prevent any mistake
in regard 10 who who meeting samuel was to
return him the circular in the envelope in which it
came obcyc these directions and had little difficulty
In finding Samuel lie patent leather boots and
plu, hat with Grape halfway its top. remember
thinking he have lately lost relative and that 1t
little rough his feelings TO intrude business
upon his sorrow. But his manner treasured me. He
greeted me with great cordality presently invited
10 around to his and the green goods
His proved be the top OF high building in
another part OF the town Reaching them he took big
leather wallet from OF his pockets and spread out on
the table before number OF crisp greenbacks-
hges tens twcntics and hftes / examined them with
perfect having dreamed that counter
fctng could be carried such pitch OF perfection.
After had carefully inspected the samples Samuel re-
marked I'm earnest tones:
Now don't want you take these goods solely
my representation. I always treat my customers fair
and square and don't wish them trade with unless
they perfectly satisfied that they getting tho
worth OF their money Suppose you go the
and test these oods Here take thu. e." thandng me
i've, ten and twenty go TO Is bank or q brokers'
office ana see n you have any difficulty In changing |
them That's a conclusive test OF their merit. isn't TT"
| replied that | didn't how "a test could be
satisfactory and after little urging did Samuel
suggested Taking the twenty into brokers' office. not
without trepdaton | asked to be accommodated with
four nyc- FOR H. Tho broker handed four fves
quicker than a wink. Next went into bank. and
producing my other samples inquired OF the teller
they good. He sharply scrutinzcd them and
answered good the wheat" That settled It. re-
turned 10 samuel quite prepared TO invest my entire
$1,000 In hi excellent goods. bitterly rsgretting
that hadn't my remaining $4,000 with me- Well" !
said Samuel with the smile OF confidence upon his face
rcentcred his rooms &" how lid my goods stand the
test !" made my report. whereupon he continued with
the air ~ Old Reliability himself I'd scorn to bring
clear down from Maine to purchase goods OF
that were not \. No l."
Well. after further talk purchased $4,000 Of
the green goods Of Samuel paying my 81 FOR them.
He remarked at this point that he not accustomed to
give every customer that along good terms he
offered but that he had taken great fancy 10 me
because reminded him OF pet cousin NJ his. great
avore In society, who had died a few years previous.
With this he excused himself saying he would ~ and
get the green goods. He absent about half an
hour and his return counted ont $1,000 IN my pres
most of them I'm wcnrics and fties This done he
placed the bills in black satchcl which he gcner-
ou-ly offered TO give without extra charge; locked
the satchcl and handed the key rcmarktng there
you are" Then handed my thousand dollars He
counted the money and carefully deposited II in an in
side pocket ~ his vest with the word. correct"
Then he quietly observed ntones 0ffathcry solicitation:
" II | you I'd have that satchc sent to your
address in Maine IS express. It's the safest plan.
While he was giving me this advice there came knock
on the door samuel exclaimed in an excited whisper.
" Place your satchcl closet there AMI keep
telling who that is" Accordingly
placed the satche IN the closet ana kept mum. The
knock WAS repeated.
Come in said samuel. nice looking. fashionably
dressed gentleman entered. who observing re
marked. An samuel. you have company. will
not stop Can have a word with you 4" samuel
excused himself Ia mo politely you please and.
going the door. converscd with his friend for few
minutes Apparently the subject OF their conversation
of agreeable nature for they both laughed